In this edition of Marketer of the Week, Ignite Visibility spotlights Penelope Thomas, Communications Director and In-House Marketer at the Clark Hulings Fund for Visual Artists.
Ignite Visibility applauds her and the Clark Hulings Fund team for the organization’s efforts to transform starving artists into self-sustaining artists.
The Clark Hulings Fund for Visual Artists
“We Build Bridges.”
That’s the promise of the Clark Hulings Fund for Visual Artists. It’s a 501(c)(3) non-profit that helps artists (as in: painters) thrive.
The problem is that many artists have few resources to promote and sell their creative works. They often need a support system that will help them bootstrap until they become independently successful.
Enter CHF. The organization assists artists by offering sound guidance on business skills.
CHF also helps people get the technical and business tools they need to transform their passions into revenue-generating enterprises.
Further, CHF doesn’t just offer generic business advice. Counselors also draw from decades of experience to help artists succeed in a very specific niche.
CHF also offers networking opportunities. That’s especially important for artists, who often work alone.
Think about it: Picasso didn’t paint with a committee.
Artists need to rub elbows with like-minded folks. Although it’s often virtual elbows these days.
And, by the way, those like-minded folks can also offer advice about how to succeed in the industry.
CHF lives by its core set of values:
- Self-sufficiency – Artists can succeed on their own as long they want to succeed and possess the required skill set. CHF offers artists a hand up, not a handout.
- Fairness – There’s a market for every artist’s work, no matter what genre or movement the artist works in. CHF offers artists the tools to prosper but they have to put in the sweat equity.
- Collaboration – People do better when they learn from others in their discipline. CHF partners with similar organizations and encourages artists to network.
- Accountability – Consistent feedback is the key to ensuring that people are on track to meet their goals. CHF expects accountability from the artists it works with.
- Agility and Fiscal Efficiency – It’s important to stretch the value of a dollar as far as it will go. CHF cuts overhead and streamlines operations.
By the way, in case you’re wondering: CHF is named after American painter Clark Hulings. The organization showcases his life and work as an example for today’s artists.
Penelope Thomas
Penelope Thomas isn’t just a marketer. She’s a performer herself.
That’s why she’s good at what she does for CHF.
For the past 17 years, Thomas has been an actor, singer, and a voice actor.
She’s also got a background in contemporary dance.
So yeah, Thomas fits right in at CHF.
Thomas is also a reviewer. She’s written more than 20 reviews for the Bistro Awards, spanning everything from cabaret style to jazz, musical theater, and comedy.
You can check out her reviews here.
Thomas has been with CHF for about four years. It’s her responsibility to handle outreach for the B2B partners for the Development and Events departments.
She’s also the Account Manager for the Hulings Estate. In that role, she stays in touch with advisors, gallerists, collectors, and auctioneers to keep up with the sales and provenance of Huling’s work.
Thomas also handles sales of reproductions of Hulings’ work.
And she produces a podcast called The Thriving Arts Podcast.
She also edits or writes weekly blog posts about Hulings’ work.
Thomas definitely keeps busy.
Wrapping It Up
Here’s what the person who recommended Thomas has to say about her: “Penelope is CHF’s resident pair of eagle eyes. If you need the patience and courtesy of a saint, with no hint of guile, you send Penelope. Or if you just want to send someone likable, vibrant, and fun. Either way. She is two things you don’t often find together—an effective communicator and deeply organized. So she can clearly and gently tell you what’s expected, even if you postpone the meeting for three weeks.”
She’s definitely the right person for that line of work.
And we’re glad that she helps keep the arts flourishing.
